on the broadcast tonight, on the edge of a possible new war in the middle east, ferocious fighting as rockets fly between israel and gaza, and there are fears of a war. and general petraeus is speaking for the first time since the scandal that brought him down. and tonight, the cia says they're investigating him. and bp paying a big price for the oil spill in the gulf. billions of dollars. in the gul. where will the money go? and where are the folks who lost so much, and what are they saying about this tonight. and new questions about the five-hour energy drink and products like it. and it is so hard to crack down on what may be a real risk. nightly news begins now.

good evening, the last time missiles landed anywhere near tel aviv in israel, they were fired by saddam in iraq. tonight it has happened again, the israeli prime minister was taken into a bomb shelter tonight, they were taken into a bomb shelter. and that is how real this and that is how real this conflict has become between the palestinians and gaza. this could turn into a full ground war very quickly. rocket fire from gaza is being answered with air strikes from israel, israel saying they're ready, at least, to launch a ground invasion as a next step. and for the rest of the world in plain english, here we go again. the generations-old conflict is escalating quickly starting up quickly. more from martin fletcher in tel aviv, good evening. mo >> reporter: good evening, it

does look like israel and hamas are edging closer to war in gaza, a war that neither side wants, but it does appear closer with every houthat passes. terror in israel. there is another one, a soldier screams. more than 200 missiles fired at israel today. and in gaza, despair. burying a child killed in an israeli attack. israel today launched at least 200 attacks against palestinian targets, most of them against stock piles of long-range rockets, trying to eliminate that threat against the israeli citizens. and israel's army is massive along the border, with 30,000 on alert for a possible ground invasion, clear warnings. >> i hope that hamas and the other terror organizations in gaza got the message. if not, israel is prepared to take whatever action is necessary to defend our people.

>> reporter: but hamas appears undeterred. they say they shot down this israeli drone and attacked tel aviv. where citizens had a 90-second warning. reported almost disbelievingly on the israeli tv, israel targeted for the first time by the hamas rocket, falling harmlessly into the sea. israel's anti-rocket system knocked out most of the missiles that threatened the towns, but not all. one got through in the southern town here. the palestinians fired at least 250 rockets at israel today, most didn't do any damage, but this one did. killed three israeli civilians. israel is bracing for more. the army spokesperson said tonight "difficult days are ahead." a possible calming influence, tomorrow, the prime minister of

egypt will visit gaza saturday, the prime minister of turkey, hoping by their very presence it will calm things down, making it harder for hamas to fire rockets and making it harder for israel to attack. now breaking news, also just hearing that a few minutes ago, three palestinian children were reported killed in an israeli bomb attack killed in an israeli bomb attack. >> we'll take whatever calming >> we'll take whatever calming influence we can get in this still new conflict. martin fletcher in tel aviv. and nbc has been able to be in gaza city today. he was able to file this report a short time ago as this conflict you're about to see took on much more of the appearance of a shooting war. >> reporter: well, you can hear the sounds of the explosions behind me, brian. it is an indication that the israeli operation is continuing well into the night. and that really is what has the people here very much anxious, very much nervous. it has been like this for the past several hours. there is no indication it will

let up. in fact, they're bracing for the possibility of a ground invasion in the coming days. it has sent shock waves throughout the people, as the people try to prepare for what could be a very dangerous period for the people here. >> on another dicey night there, thank you. back in this country, back to the story we have been covering for days, general david petraeus, he is talking about the scandal that forced him to quit his job as cia director. and now, the startling news is the cia is investigating him. here with more, nbc's andrea mitchell. >> if i could. >> reporter: intelligence officials say the focus of the cia inspector general's probe is whether or not david petraeus used agency resources to further his relationship with paula broadwell. they were last seen together at a dinner in washington on october 27th. officials say the cia has been told by the fbi there is no indication that petraeus used classified material.

but the investigation is continuing, this is new information coming out about frederick humphries, the fbi agent that led the investigation. that led to petraeus's resignation hat he is a 16-year veteran, he played a major role in stopping the plot to blow up l.a.x. humphries got to know jill kelley in humphries got to know jill kelley in tampa, and she turned to him when she received anonymous e-mails last spring, the e-mails they found alarming. today, there was a picture he sent, telling the seattle times it was a joke. he was posing with target dummies after s.w.a.t. practice. it was humphries that told david reichert about an old friend, he alerted him almost two weeks before the president was told. >> the information sent to me sounded as if there was a potential for a national security vulnerability.

>> reporter: today, eric holder was asked why he didn't tell the president sooner. >> we follow the facts, we do not share outside the justice department, outside the fbi, the facts of ongoing investigations, we made the determination as we were going through the matter that there was not a threat to national security. >> reporter: also today, defense secretary leon panetta ordered the chairman of the joint chiefs to review ethics training for all officers, because of recent lapses. and petraeus reached out, saying he did not disclose classified material. thank you, we also want to let you know on rock center, andrea will report on the culture, on what some say is the power surrounding the nation's four-star generals. tomorrow, general petraeus goes to capitol hill and will testify about what happened in benghazi back on september 11th.

tonight, we have learned some of what he may say there. nbc's kelly o'donnell has more. on the hill for us, good evening what he m >> reporter: good evening, ay brian, there is huge anticipation about petraeus's visit here tomorrow. he will be behind closed doors and he will be talking about what lawmakers have just seen. we have learned just a short time ago that today with current intelligence and military officials, lawmakers were shown realtime film from the actual assault in benghazi, from drones through surveillance, we learned they saw heroic events, despite the loss of lives f lives. we have not learned if stevens we have not learned if stevens was visible. we also learned there was tough questions and expect more of that tomorrow. officials say there will be public hearings sometime down the line where as much as the information that is classified will be made public. >> kelly o'donnell, thank you. and bp has been ordered to

pay a record $4 and a half billion in a huge settlement with the u.s. justice department over the oil over the oil spill in the gulf. we have two reports in this story tonight, beginning with our justice correspondent, pete williams, good evening, pete. >> reporter: brian, this is the deal, bp agrees to plead guilty paying the biggest criminal fine ever against a single company. and the federal government agrees not to bring anymore criminal charges against bp for the oil spill. the settlement comes a year and a half after an explosion and fire killed 11 people on a bp drilling rig in the gulf, starting a gush that became 206 million gallons of oil. >> the company has pled guilty to criminal felony charges, manslaughter, individuals being charged, as well. everything that we are capable of doing in the criminal sphere, we have done today. >> reporter: bp will pay $4 and a half billion in fines, more than half going with restoring. the company was charged with

failing to monitor pressure. and violating environmental laws failing to monitor bp's two highest rig supervisors were separately charged with involuntary manslaughter, prosecutors say they accepted a nonsensical explanation for the readings, bp says we apologize for the role in the actions, and accept responsibility. but others say it is not much punishment for a big company. >> i don't see it is effective for what amounts to one of the largest corporate crimes in american history. >> reporter: bp still faces billions more in civil fines and settlements with those directly harmed faces lawsuits in civil cases with others pete williams > i'm anne thompso >> something we knew. >> reporter: where on the i'm anne thompson. >> something we knew. >> reporter: where on the fishing docks, the talk is of bp's guilty pleas. >> for them to finally admit it is what we have been waiting to

hear. because you know, we have been living it every day. >> reporter: this third generation farmer says it ruined his beds and market. neither has come back. but his thoughts today are with the 11 men who died on the deep horizon, one was shelly anderson's husband, jason, a father shelly anderson's father. >> the hardest part is going to the th >> the hardest part is going to the thanksgiving dinner today at the elementary school, and -- seeing the other dads that are there -- and lacey knows that her dad can't be there. >> reporter: on the louisiana coast where looks can be deceiving, the environmental costs are still being added up. this university of florida scientist is still tracking the impact of the erosion on the bay. he found the oil doubled the rate of erosion in the year and a half since the spill. this july, he also discovered something else. >> this is one of the few spots on this area that actually still has visible oil on it.

>> reporter: this is the oil here? >> this is the oil here. >> reporter: this charter boat captain says only half of his customers have come back. he says today's agreement is a start, but not nearly enough. >> it just seems like it was just a mistake that was overlooked by greed. >> reporter: the fine, while historic, is almost a billion less than the money bp made in just a third quarter of this year. the message from the gulf coast tonight is that it is recovering, but still there are a lot of people here who have not been made whole. the settlement solved one issue but it is far from bringing life back to normal. >> anne thompson, a space where we spent a lot of time, venice, louisiana. still ahead, 17 days after sandy. the homeowners today who just got to see their homes. and later, her story brought lincoln to life. today, the woman behind the new

movie. movie g water can help, but dentists recommend biotene. g water can help, biotene moisturizes and helps supplement some of saliva's enzymes, providing soothing relief when you need it most. don't ignore dry mouth... look for biotene in your oral care section today. this has been medifacts for biotene. campbell's has 24 new soups

that will make it drop over, and over again. ♪ from jammin' jerk chicken, to creamy gouda bisque. see what's new from campbell's. it's amazing what soup can do. aww, not the mall. well, i'll do the shopping... if you do the shipping. shipping's a hassle. i'll go to the mall. hey. hi. you know, holiday shipping's easy with priority mail flat rate boxes from the postal service. if it fits, it ships anywhere in the country for a low flat rate. yea, i know. oh, you're good. good luck! priority mail flat rate boxes. online pricing starts at $5.15. only from the postal service. begins with back pain and a choice. take advil, and maybe have to take up to four in a day. or take aleve, which can relieve pain all day with just two pills. good eye.

which can relieve pain all day with just two pills. some people put everything intotheir name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support. a day to shop at stores owned by our friends and neighbors. and do our part for the businesses that do so much for us. on november 24th, let's get out and shop small. hurricane sandy tore up their neighborhood, folks in staten island, very hard-hit, got a visit today from the president after touring the worst of the damage. president obama says he is proud of the way new yorkers have responded. he said "you guys are tough, you bounce back." damage includes just about all of the miles of the jersey shore, and areas including ortley beach, not far from the place where life will never be the same.

our report tonight from stephanie gosk. >> reporter: two and a half weeks, and nobody in this line has been back home to ortley beach until today. what do you expect to see today? >> disaster. >> reporter: dread mixes with frustration, but the police officers still smile. >> good luck, folks, you have to wear this when you're on the island. >> reporter: 16 school buses pick up and drop off. nobody is allowed to drive. two people per household, carrying one empty bag each. captain bruce bergess says this system is the only safe way to let residents back. >> we're here to help, we're here for security. >> reporter: homeowners have only a few hours to collect valuables. they will not be back here for weeks. >> i still didn't believe it until i walked around the side, seeing the house split open. >> reporter: split open. >> reporter: ortley beach is in lockout, police officers from places as far away as louisiana

work around the clock shifts. over the next five day people will return, a boat in the living room among many nasty surprises. engineers are busy putting numbers on the damage. and the shocking number is 73, 73 homes not just damaged but completely off their foundations, and destroyed. in ortley beach alone. those homes still standing run the risk of collapsing into sinkholes. watching all of this is now suddenly part of the captain's job description. >> this all goes beyond the scope of what we're used to doing. it never happened here before. >> reporter: adapting to new jobs and changed lives, ortley beach has to recover. stephanie gosk nbc news, ortley beach, new jersey recover. new jersey. up next, why five-hour energy is in up next, why five-hour energy is in the news, and why loyal customers are taking notice.

♪ [ male announcer ] this is karen and jeremiah. they don't know it yet, but they're gonna fall in love, get married, have a couple of kids, [ children laughing ] move to the country, and live a long, happy life together where they almost never fight about money. [ dog barks ] because right after they get married, they'll find some retirement people who are paid on salary, not commission. they'll get straightforward guidance and be able to focn other thingslike eacother, which isn't rocket science. it's just common sense. from td ameritrade.

he's going to apply testosterone to his underarm. axiron, the only underarm treatment for low t, can restore testosterone levels back to normal in most men. axiron is not for use in women or anyone younger than 18. axiron can transfer to others through direct contact. women, especially those who are or who may become pregnant, and children should avoid contact where axiron is applied as unexpected signs of puberty in children or changes in body hair or increased acne in women may occur. report these signs and symptoms to your doctor if they occur. tell your doctor about all medical conditions and medications. do not use if you have prostate or breast cancer. serious side effects could include increased risk of prostate cancer; worsening prostate symptoms; decreased sperm count; ankle, feet, or body swelling; enlarged or painful breasts; problems breathing while sleeping; and blood clots in the legs. common side effects include skin redness or irritation where applied, increased red blood cell count, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and increase in psa. see your doctor, and for a 30-day free trial, go to axiron.com.

and you pick the price that works for you. great. whoa, whoa, jamie. watch where you point that thing. [ mocking ] "watch where you point that thing." you point yours, i point mine. okay, l-let's stay calm. [ all shouting ] put it down! be cool! everybody, just be cool! does it price better on the side? no, it just looks cooler. the name your price tool, only from progressive. call or click today. i got you covered. thank you. oh, you're so welcome.

this is eight you have seen commercials, you have seen the little bottles at the checkout. five-hour energy is in the news tonight, a question about safety to be specific. our report tonight from nbc's tom costello ecific. >> reporter: the ads for >> reporter: the ads for five-hour energy promise they will lift you out of your afternoon slump. >> the rest of the day, i'm great. >> reporter: one and a half million bottles of the high caffeine shot sold every day. but the fda says it is looking into the possibility of the connection between the five-hour energy and 13 deaths over the past four years that the companies first reported. heart attacks, even a spontaneous abortion reported. the company the company insists they are adverse event reports that are not substantiated. and the fda says it is early to draw any conclusions. while the labels on the drinks don't say how much caffeine is inside, the company says it is

about the same as a cup of premium coffee. >> caffeine is not a bad thing, except in very large quantities, actually helpful in a lot of areas. >> reporter: a caffeine boost may be safe in a lot of adults. but cardiologists say a small percentage of adults and kids with unknown heart conditions can be at risk. >> under the right or wrong circumstances, certain people with these conditions might have incidents of arrythmias that could be dangerous, in association with a high dose of caffeine. >> reporter: just last month, the fda says it is looking at whether or not five other deaths could be linked to monster energy drinks. they insist their drinks are safe and not responsible for any deaths. because these drinks are sold as diet drinks and not colas, they are not required to list their caffeine amounts. or all their ingredients they are not required to now, congress is looking to change that law. tom costello, nbc news. and up next, a woman that helped to tell a great story about a great american president. next, a woman that helped to tell a great story

about a great american president. into their work, their name on the door, and their heart into their community. small business saturday is a day to show our support. a day to shop at stores owned by our friends and neighbors. and do our part for the businesses that do so much for us. on november 24th, let's get out and shop small.

you spend all day cooking it. so why spend even a moment considering any broth but swanson? the broth cooks trust most to make the meal folks spend all year waiting for. in stuffing and more, the secret is swanson. spending the day with my niece. i don't use super poligrip for hold because my dentures fit well. before those little pieces would get in between my dentures and my gum and it was uncomfortable. even well-fitting dentures let in food particles. super poligrip is zinc free. with just a few dabs, it's clinically proven to seal out more food particles so you're more comfortable and confident while you eat. so it's not about keeping my dentures in, it's about keeping the food particles out. [ charlie ] try zinc free super poligrip. there's the sign to the bullpen. here he comes. you wouldn't want your doctor doing your job, the pitch! whoa! so why are you doing his? only your doctor can determine if your persistent heartburn is actually something more serious like acid reflux disease. over time, stomach acid can damage

the lining of your esophagus. for many, prescription nexium not only provides 24-hour heartburn relief, but can also help heal acid-related erosions in the lining of your esophagus. talk to your doctor about the risk for osteoporosis-related bone fractures and low magnesium levels with long-term use of nexium. possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. other serious stomach conditions may still exist. let your doctor do his job. and you do yours. ask if nexium is right for you. if you can't afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. finally tonight, this is what hollywood does to us every year. they cram up the movies late in the year so we will cram into the movie theaters. you almost had to be as resourceful as 007 to see it last week, this week, it will be

lincoln. that will be the big draw his wet tonight we talked to the woman behind the story, doris goodwin, who wrote the book, steven spielberg read it, and the rest really is history. >> said it was the faithful. billions in bondage, and many to come. >> i imagined this man, lincoln, from the moment i woke up to going to bed, suddenly he is on screen, back in our lives again. it is an extraordinary experience to see him become abraham lincoln. >> you make the character, you live with this person, seldom do you get to see such a situation rise from your work. >> and the most amazing thing, both spielberg and daniel day-lewis, cared so much about

detail they asked to go to springfield, to go to the law offices and the museum. and what do you want to know about? what was the right thing, what did he sound like? what is his voice like? so we knew from the period at that time that he had a high-pitched voice that could go over the crowds. you had people in the debates, lincoln's could go to the end of the crowd. they wanted to know how he walked. we knew he walked like a laborer, that he felt like he had a burden on his shoulders. when you see him walk, he walks like a laborer, the most important thing, what was his humor? that is the one thing i cared about important thing, that was the way he got away from sadness. >> people are going to come away, wondering was he that funny, humorous, was he that way? and to the best of your ability, yes. >> and the most important thing, people think of him as an icon, a statesman.

they don't know what a great politician he was, and that is what the movie is all about. >> the fate of human dignity is in our hands. >> to afford us this moment, now, now, now. >> he does everything he can to get this 13th amendment passed, at the time when he has won the election, between the election, and the new congress coming in. incredible coincidence of timing that obama has the same challenge with the fiscal cliff. and yowatch hitrading, doing whatever he needs to do. it is an incredible timely thing to say that compromise is a good thing, as long as you have convictions and are after something worthy. he is after the end of slavery. by the 13th amendment ons and ar something worthy. he is after and he is after a great thing, he says i am the president of the united states. >> i am president of the united states of america. clothed in immense power. >> you get me the votes that i

need >> can you imagine if somebody spoke that way today? >> no way. >> while he wouldn't fight the crowds, the current president sees the movie tonight. our thanks to our friend and author, doris goodwin, that is our broadcast tonight. thank you for joining us, remember, we're back on the air for "rock center" at 10:00, 9:00 central. and we would love to have you back tomorrow night. good night. our broadcast tonight. thank you for joining us, remember, we're back on the air for